Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a look into the emotional drive behind hate, and its birth in pain. Set in a rural town in America, the film allows us to see racism and frustration at its core development, starting with grieving mother Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand).

Mildred, after having waited months for news on her murdered daughter’s police case, rents three billboards in hopes of catching the Sheriff department’s attention. Unfortunately the grand gesture has a negative impact, pitting the town’s emotions against her, with her only ally being the Sheriff himself (Woody Harrelson). Raw and devoid of any political correctness, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri allows a clear view of the deconstruction of humanity.

Three Billboards doesn’t just rely on the well told story to keep audience members uncomfortable; the unhinged portrayal of Officer Jason Dixon by Sam Rockwell mirrors the question of police authority in today’s society. Openly racist and violent with a badge, it’s hard to tell if Officer Dixon is the cause or effect of his chaos. Harrelson’s portrayal of the complicit Sheriff Willoughby is hard to draw empathy for, even as a dying man, thus exemplifying how underrated an actor Harrelson truly is. Lucas Hedges as Mildred’s son Robbie Hayes is all the emotion one expects from a teenager stuck between social standards and familial loyalty. Providing both humor and depth to Robbie, Hedges plays as a perfect counterbalance to McDormand’s Mildred.

Frances McDormand herself is deserving of an entire paragraph, if not review. Her portrayal of Mildred is a rollercoaster of emotion as she tries to navigate through her devastation while becoming the town pariah. Every emotional ebb is lined in Frances McDormand’s face, her reactions ranging from utter anguish to seething anger, laid out plainly for the audience to follow along. McDormand’s greatest credit is making Mildred both resilient in her torture while remaining true to the nature of an actual flawed human. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri didn’t create characters worthy of sympathy or hate; it created relatable humans, as scary as that may be. It will make you squirm, but it will also keep you in your seats.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Directed by Martin McDonagh
Produced by Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin, Martin McDonagh
Written by Martin McDonagh
Starring Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, John Hawkes, Peter Dinklage
Music by Carter Burwell
Cinematography : Ben Davis
Edited by Jon Gregory
Production company : Blueprint Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Film4 Productions, Cutting Edge Group
Distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures
Release date : November 10, 2017 (United States), January 17 2018 (France)
Running time : 115 minutes
Country : United States, United Kingdom

Photos : Copyright Blueprint Pictures

Screened at the San Diego International Film Festival

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